I’m sharing a project today, a primary bath and closet, completed at the end of last year. This job was really all about the cabinetry and millwork. Come and take a look.

The closet was probably the main reason this homeowner wanted a change. They were ready to uplevel their look in here. With some open rods and shelves it was okay and a nice size for sure. Things got dusty though and there was an odd angular space, like a small closet within a closet, that needed to be addressed for better storage.

They added some changes to the bathroom too, because a contractor would be in there making a mess anyway and they wanted an update there too. They had redone the shower a few years prior because it had some water damage, so that was to stay, and they liked the tub and plumbing fixtures, so we kept those too.

What we were really focusing on was cabinetry, walls and flooring.

I’m going to start with the closet, because it is really special!

The Primary Closet - Before and After

I know what some of you are thinking, “But this is a nice closet. I’d love to have a closet like this.” I understand. These are very neat and tidy people too, so it looks nicely organized.

But really, there was room for improvement. New flooring (see the taped carpet), new lighting that wasn’t a fluorescent mount on the ceiling, and storage for some specific items were in order.

We had to do something about this awkward closet-in-a-closet situation too. That odd corner nook wasn’t very well utilized. The fact you had to leave the space in front of the door open, took away from the length of storage on that wall.

BEFORE - Primary Closet (Closet within a closet)

There was a nice window here too that faced the front of the house. The blinds stayed closed for privacy most of the time. I wanted to be able to get some light in here while still having privacy.

We did floor to ceiling cabinets giving them hanging rods and shelves behind doors with one open space for the odd storage corner. The homeowner wanted to fit in some large storage bins so we framed in shelving for those in that nook. Long hanging clothing can go in front of that area to be pushed aside to access and that space is better utilized.

We made a few changes to this plan along the way, but you can see how that space was framed out to fit the bins.

And here’s the result!

I love the flooring we continued from the bathroom, a porcelain tile that looks like stone and has an tumbled type surface that feels good underfoot, laid in a herringbone pattern. Here it is as they were starting the installation. This tile is from Thorntree here in Houston. (Talk to Angela there if you want the details.:-)

Porcelain tile flooring laid in herringbone pattern

A cute cafe curtain brings in some color and natural light while still giving privacy. We painted the ceiling the blue color that we had on the walls in the bathroom and added LED recessed lighting with this fandolier that is perfect for the style of this home. :-)

I love a fan in the bathroom and closet and this client did to. (It’s hot in Houston, folks!) I went with a wood and black finish combination to relate the wood we brought in to cabinetry in the bathroom and the black on the floor.

AFTER CLOSET REMODEL - I love this view into the closet that you can see from the bedroom.

AFTER CLOSET REMODEL - Rain glass panels in some cabinet doors add depth to the space and break up the white cabinetry.

AFTER CLOSET REMODEL - You can see how easy it is to organize your life with a closet like this.

Here was that nook, below, with cubbies for the bins that fit behind the long hanging clothes. Having doors here would have made it more difficult to get those bins in and out.

The Primary Bath - Before and After

The bathroom is large and they were happy with the layout, so no need to change things there. Remember, the shower would stay as is since it was redone recently, and the vintage look tub and plumbing fixtures were still in good shape too. I loved the crispness of the polished nickel in here too.

I wanted to improve on the look of the vanities by removing those tall, skinny glass cabinets. Even though these were textured glass, they just made the wall look cluttered. I was really hoping to eliminate that soffit above them too.

BEFORE - Lots of mosaic tile covered the floor and short beadboard paneling lined the walls.

They were tired of the tiny mosaic floor, all that grout over such a big area is a lot, and they were hoping to do something with the cabinets too.

BEFORE - A new window treatment is in order here too but the tub and tub filler stayed.

This home is a traditional, New England style. They like American rustic antiques and have a home full of warm wood pieces and colorful red, white and blue fabrics. I wanted to bring a little more of this style to the bathroom and elevate the look.

I started with the beadboard wainscot. Yes, beadboard is appropriate here and it is elsewhere in the home, but I felt it just looked low in the room with the 10’ ceilings and I liked the idea of a wider plank to simplify the backdrop. The details were not very appealing to me as well.

BEFORE - Some details were rather patched together and could be improved with the paneling.

There was a seated vanity behind her sink vanity and she really just wanted storage there. She didn’t sit to use that countertop at all.

BEFORE - No seated vanity needed here, just more storage.

The shower remained as is. I took note of the finishes here to create a bathroom that would work with it.

BEFORE - Shower with black pebble tile, white wall tile and a blue accent tile was to stay.

And here is the end result!

I took the new 4” wide plank paneling to 7’ and did some new trim mouldings at the doors and window to make them appear taller.

Fabulous custom made oak cabinets with quartersawn oak for the flaked look (a more rustic appeal) replaced the white cabinets. The wood stain repeats the wood flooring color throughout the home.

Mirrored medicine cabinets provide easy access to everyday products, enabling us to remove the tall cabinetry wrapping the top of the sink vanities as well as the soffit.

I love the look into the bathroom and through to the closet from the bedroom now.

One of my favorite ways to dress a window at a tub so that you still have light coming in is with a cafe style curtain. I really loved the paneling at this height, enough to be able to add some color on the wall above but adding in a crisp, white freshness. The flooring was such a nice contrast to the paneling.

Here’s that space behind her vanity, now with full height mirrored storage.

The existing shower remained intact. You can see the shower floor had black pebble tile with white wall tile, which informed the finishes I chose for the space. Love that touch of wood in the ceiling fan.

We took the paneling and tile into the toilet room too.

You can see the quartersawn oak close up here and how that grain adds so much warmth and character. The carpenter did such a great job on these. :-)

Thanks so much to my wonderful clients who were former clients from years past. They are so easy to work with and I am honored to have their trust.

I couldn’t do any of this with a good contractor. Thanks to Greg Vogel of Vogel and Associates.

If you are interested in a remodel in The Woodlands, TX area, I will be looking for new projects sometime in the late fall. All my projects these days are handled exclusively by me and I prefer working with the contractors I know and trust.

I have lots going on now, so look for more remodeling project reveals to come and follow me on Instagram for High Point Market finds this next week!

PROJECT REVEAL - A Primary Bath and Closet Redo

The Primary Closet - Before and After

And here’s the result!

The Primary Bath - Before and After

And here is the end result!

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